7.25.2012

7.22.2012

For Lucas' birthday (June 23) we went to see Madagascar 3. The boys were really good, and they absolutely loved it! We had a little birthday party for Cole's family on Saturday the 24th. I made dinosaur cupcakes because one of Lucas' favorite things is dinosaurs right now.

These aren't my cupcakes. Mine were WAY cooler, but I forgot to take a picture because I'm a dork.

Lucas also loves to play in the water and be outside, so we got what we think is the perfect present for him:

The boys LOVE to play with the water table, and they only spend about 30% of the time crying because they get each other wet.

On June 29, my extended family got together in Payson for a waterslide party. It was a ridiculous amount of fun. I don't have any pictures, HHHOBVIOUSLY because we were all too busy sliding to take any. Lucas really liked it, as long as I went down with him (he wouldn't even go with Cole--it had to be me). He would always protest a little at the top, but he always ended up laughing at the bottom. Kyle clung to Cole like a monkey whenever he went, and he FREAKED if he thought Cole was going to put him down. Lucas is by far the braver of the two.

June 30 was Cole's and my 6th anniversary. Since we went all out for our anniversary last year and Matthew is still on the little side, we opted for simple this time around: dinner from Burger King (their new summer menu is to DIE FOR) after the boys went to bed and cupcakes from The Sweet Tooth Fairy.

I couldn't pick just one kind!

We split the 4 cupcakes (Cookies & Cream, Raspberry Cheesecake, Creme Brulee, and Root Beer Float) so we could have a taste of each. It was a nice, quiet way to celebrate.

7.21.2012

We blessed Matthew the first weekend in June. We were lucky enough to have my parents come to town for the weekend, so we packed it full of fun activities!

Thursday evening we surprised Grandma and Papa by being at the airport with signs and a banner. They were pretty tickled to see all of the grandsons there unexpectedly. Cole was SUPER embarrassed by us and our signs, though (he's a super party pooper).

Friday we took a trip to the zoo!

The grandsons in their matching shirts

It was a little on the crowded side because it happened to be the first day of the new exhibit, Rocky Shores. We had a yummy picnic lunch, watched the bird show, and saw lots of animals! We didn't get to see the polar bear (much to Kyle's dismay)--she had gotten overexcited from all of the publicity of the day and the zookeepers pulled her out of the exhibit to give her a break.

Friday evening the girls got together and had our craft night. It was fun to have Mom there to join us!

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to attend our niece Ana's baptism. She looked so beautiful in her dress! It was so exciting to see her take such an important step.

Our family with the special girl

Our evening was spent cleaning and prepping for the big gathering scheduled for the next day.

Sunday morning we got up and threw ourselves together, and, for once, nothing went wrong! We made it to church 15 minutes early (which NEVER happens, ever) so we had time to relax and save seats for our family. Matthew wore the same blessing suit as his brothers, but because he's on the tiny side it looked like it was drowning him!

Cole gave him a beautiful blessing, and I surprised Cole by getting up to bear my testimony (he had been ribbing me to do it, and he thought I was just taking Matthew out to feed him). After Sacrament Meeting, we headed back to our house for lunch. We had quite a spread, and we were blessed to be surrounded by lots of our family.

4 Generations

Grandma and Matthew

We also had a little birthday party for Lucas while my parents were in town, and they gave him what is now one of his favorite toys:

7.19.2012

Utah in the spring/summertime can be so beautiful, especially in the canyons. We decided we wanted to take advantage of that fact and go on one hike every week. Here are some pictures of our favorites.

Donut Falls:

The boys LOVED being outdoors! They ran full-tilt up the trail.

Sitting on a rock above the falls

The fam just before the falls

Snowbird Barrier-Free Trail:

We saw several moose on this hike. They were all within 50 feet of the trail!

"A very cute moose...make all the boy moose go 'whaaaaa'..." :)

The overlook at the end of the trail. I'm not sure what Kyle's problem was...

There were some BIG rocks at the overlook. Kyle loved climbing all over them.

Cole and Jessica

What He's About

I am the Director of Operations at the Doubletree Park City/The Yarrow. I love being back at a hotel! In what little free time I have, I enjoy making my three boys laugh, snuggling my princess, gaming on the weekends with my brothers, and driving my wife completely crazy. I love to make homemade pizza with Jessica and cruise around town in my mini van. Life is good!

What She's About

I'm the director at the Christensen House of Crazies. ;) I love reading, blogging, scrapbooking, singing, dancing, tickling my boys, and baking. I love movies, and my conversations are peppered with movie quotes. I crave Diet Coke (especially of the dirty variety), projects from The Wood Connection, and kisses from my four boys. I'm looking forward to all of the girl time I'll get with my little princess as she grows up!

Kyle Steven

What He's About

I'm 7 years old and the biggest brother. I like to play (and fight) with my brothers and tickle my sister. One of my favorite things to do is make up jokes--I have a bright future with Laffy Taffy. I'm really looking forward to my 8th birthday, because then I get to be baptized. I love reading and math and riding my bike outside. I am a big helper and try my best to be a good example to my siblings.

Lucas Robert

What He's About

I'm 4 years old and the middle brother. I love riding the bus all by myself to preschool--Mommy says I'm super brave! I have a love-hate relationship with both of my brothers--sometimes we're the best of friends and sometimes we fight all.the.time. I have a tender heart and I love to snuggle, but I love to wrestle and be wild and crazy with my brothers and my dad. I'm Mommy's ray of sunshine.

Matthew Tanner

What He's About

I'm 3 years old and the littlest brother. Mommy and Daddy are glad that I FINALLY grew out of my terrorist phase. I love to watch Paw Patrol and Blaze and the Monster Machines (sometimes Mommy lets me watch them all by myself when my brothers are at school!). I will copy pretty much whatever my brothers do. I'm a champ at going potty and I still have the sweetest face in the world.

Hallie Jo

What She's About

I am 1 1/2 and the little princess. I love to play dress-up and put on jewelry, but I make killer car noises too--I have balanced interests. :) I love to torment the cat and follow Mommy around everywhere. I am already super sassy and it makes Mommy laugh to hear me say "No" (at least, for right now). I love to snuggle Daddy and take care of my babies.